Ernie Clark. Hilperton Division, Wiltshire Council.

How much more is the Police going to cost us?

Wiltshire Police Authority meets on Thursday to set the Police precept for 2010-11. The recommendation is for a 3.4% increase, which is an extra £5.19 a year for a Council Tax band D payer.

The Government grant element of the budget has increased by 2.4%. Within this budget the Police are committed to £1.6 million savings, including a reduction of about 37 police posts overall. The only item of non-essential growth would be 10 additional Police Community Support Officers (PCSO) across the county, dependent on local councils match-funding the costs.

The staffing level for the Trowbridge Rural policing area (which is where Hilperton now sits) semms to be exceedingly 'thin'. Whilst nobody wants to see their council tax increase, one does need to strike a balance to ensure that we get the policing we both expect and deserve.